By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Everyone agreed that the beautifully restored Edsels added a lot to the sense of occasion – and of history.

Somerville Culinary Cruisers will debut their Ocean Ave. Pops at the Greenway Mobile Food Fest using their new Popsicle Cruisers.

By Cathleen Twardzik

If you want a unique popsicle or a delicious hot dog from a bike cart then you should attend the Greenway Mobile Food Fest on May 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The fest will take place at Dewey Square Park and at Fort Point Channel Park. Admission is free, and a rain date of May 12 is set.

Culinary Cruisers, a business based in Somerville, will debut their Ocean Ave. P ops at the Greenway Mobile Food Fest.

Results of the division 1 relays held on Saturday, April 28, at Franklin High School are as follows: The 4×100 placed second with a time of 49.77. Running on the relay was Alison Kaba, Gelynne Berger, Michel-le Meranda and Nicole Genard. This time broke the previous SHS record of 49.89 set in 2011 by Gelynne Berger, Ashley Murphy, Michel-le Meranda and Nicole Genard.

As proponents and detractors debate making medical marijuana available in Massachusetts, educators are concerned that youths are not getting the right message and factual information regarding the risks involved in cannabis use.

By Max Sullivan

Last Tuesday, Somerville’s Office of Prevention held a forum which addressed the risks of marijuana use, particularly in response to recent studies suggesting that youths in Massachusetts see pot as a safer alternative to alcohol and hard drugs.

Kenneth Belew, 22, pleaded guilty today in Middlesex Superior Court to two counts of motor vehicle homicide OUI and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.  The Commonwealth recommended a term of 8-10 years in state prison for the two counts of motor vehicle homicide with five years probation from and after with conditions.  Middlesex Superior Court Judge Mitchell Kaplan sentenced him to 5 years in a house of correction on the two counts of motor vehicle homicide with parole eligibility at half time.  He also sentenced the defendant to two additional years in a house of correction, with one year to serve, the balance suspended for 5 years, on the negligent operation charge, as well as probation conditions that include a 15 year loss of license, 25 hours of community service per each year of probation related to safe driving and impaired driving education, and a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment.

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

Last Wednesday, the Somerville Arts Council held the latest event in its Salon Series at the Armory Cafe on Highland Avenue. This month, local artists gathered for a discussion on comics, labeling the event as The Local Comics Scene: Where Muppets, Line Art, and Central American Politics Meet. The night focused on two presentations, one from comic artist Joel Christian Gill, and another by a two-person comic art team, Shelli Paroline and Braden D. Lamb.

Since January, the Somerville Arts Council has hosted monthly events in the Salon Series, all at the new Armory Cafe, inviting the public to experience the latest happenings in the local art scene.

The Center for Teen Empowerment’s Somerville Youth Peace Conference provided an outlet for young people to express their hopes, fears, and ideas to the community and to one another. – Photo by Alexandra Botti

By Alexandra Botti

The high school auditorium was buzzing. This was no mandatory school assembly, and it was not a room full of disinterested teenagers who were somewhere they’d prefer not to be on a sunny Saturday. Instead, hoots and cheers went up as each new performer came to the stage, microphone in hand.

This month’s Somerville Chamber of Commerce, Business After Hours at the B2Green Expo & Networking event, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 3, at the Holiday Inn, 30 Washington Street. Free appetizers, excellent networking, free business card drawing, cash bar amid a cool, mini-expo of local green innovators. Treat yourself and your select staff, customers, and clients. B2Green is sponsored by Bunker Hill Community College. After Hours sponsored by Century Bank. B2Green is produced by the Chamber’s Green Committee and City of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability & Environment. RSVP with name(s) and affiliation(s) to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Police Department has recently issued several $300 fines to gypsy cabs. These so called gypsy cabs, as well as licensed cabs from other cities, are masquerading as Somerville taxis on the Internet, says Sergeant James Rooney, who issues taxicab drivers’ licenses in the city of Somerville.

Details for the Gilman Street Bridge project were discussed at a design public hearing on April 25.

By Harry Kane

The Gilman Street Bridge will undergo construction next year, but some people are concerned that the reconstruction process will be detrimental to the flow of traffic and the parking for residents in the vicinity.